Intel to Push Wearable Tech at CES

Intel officials reportedly will be showing off new wearable computing devices powered by the chip maker's Quark processing technology at the Consumer Electronics Show 2014 this week.

Speaking to the Website Recode, CEO Brian Krzanich said the vendor at CES will announce its latest Quark chip and will demonstrate some wearable devices that Intel engineers have created. Krzanich didn't elaborate on what the devices will be, but is pushing the idea of the x86-based Quark technology being a driver of the burgeoning wearable computing trend.

"Our view is that Quark can make almost everything smart," the CEO told the Website. "We'll show you some things that you would never have thought could become smart and communicate."

Google Glass is probably the most high-profile example of wearable devices, which also include fitness and activity trackers as well as a growing line of smartwatches, such as offerings from Samsung and Qualcomm's Toq. Analysts expect the market to boom in the coming years. Berg Insight in October said shipments of wearable devices hit 8.3 million units in 2012 and will grow to 64 million units in 2017. Juniper Research in July predicted 150 million units will ship in 2018.